Dan Abnett, John Tomlinson & Gary Erskine - The Knights of Pendragon

(Marvel UK) The success of Captain Britain meant Marvel UK wanted more characters it could call its own and so in 1990, the Knights of Pendragon were born. Steeped in the legends of King Arthur and ancient pagan folklore, it centres around cynical Police Inspector Dai Thomas as he investigates a series of ecological-themed crimes (pollution, exotic animal smuggling, poaching) that comes across like a mix of The X-Files and Hellblazer.

This was Gary Erskine’s first big project in comics and you can really see his artistic style develop throughout. Unusually, Dan Abnett and John Tomlinson alternated, taking it in turns to write each issue, though you can hardly spot the join, something editor Steve White must take plenty credit for. It’s a story quite unlike anything Marvel were doing at the time, a dark and literary tale that’s more supernatural than superhero and sits nicely alongside the likes of Hellstorm and Black Orchid.